Fluid-control apparatus



Sept.. 7 9 M26., TLSQSSZ C. G. SMITH FLU'D CUNTROL APPARATUS Orgnal, Filed Jan. 8J 1918 Patented Slepto "El,

CHARLES Gr. Sldll'll OF MEDEEORD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSGNOR TG RCETHEUN MANU- FACTURNG COMPANY, 03E CMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATON MASSACHUSETT EL''ID- CONTRL APPARATUS.

Original application lcd January e, lille, Serial No. lt'tllll.l Vllivded and this application met?.

January l0, 19%. Serial No. 685,490.

My invention relates to duid controlled apparatus for producing 'an indication or tor controlling the operation of other ap paratus.

rlhis application is a division ofv my application S. N. 210,841, liled Jan.'8, l9l8, and patented Mar. ll, 1924, Patent No. 1,486,551.

l-leretofore, floats, pistons, diaphragme, bellows, Bourdon tubes, and similar devices have been used in contact with a fluid to produce an indication, or to control other apparatus in accordance with changes in the pressure, level, or other characteristic or condition of a fluid. There are many objections to these devices owing to complications in their manufacture, difficulties in securing materials having suitable mechanical or l .physical properties for use in the devices,

and difliculties in i'naintaining positive and satisfactory operation of these devices during long periods of usage in connection with certain fluids. These difficulties are esl pecially pronounced when the fluid being used is highly corrosive or active chemical ly; when the fluid is highly solvent; when it must be retained hermetically sealed within its container because of its intrinsicvalue or its poisonous or other harmful qualities, as in the case of mercury; when the fluid tends to produce a deposit on the surfaces to which it is exposed; when the fluid is employed at high temperature or high pressure; or where thin walls or seams in the walls are not per missible.

Floats and pistons, as ordinarily constructed with parts involving sliding surfaces. ali'ord leakage` for the tluid between the sliding surfaces. parts are not easily constructed and when inoperation easily get out'of order owing to wear, fouling, corrosion, or failure of the partsin contact with the fluid. i

Diaphragms, bellows, Bourdon tubes and the like are objectionable in that they require the use of relatively thin special elastic materials of very limited physical and chemical resistance to the action of fluids and, when operating, involve large specilic det orm'ations of the material of which they are made, whereby their operation is seriously disturbed by the presence of surface deposits from the fluid or changes in the material brought. about by the lluid. 'lhese devices Furthermore, these,

y ing a relatively large physical displacement between its upper and lower operating limits, not subject to wear or getting out of order easily, and particularly suited tor use in connection with highly active or solvent` fluids, fluids tending to quickly foul the surface with. which they contact, duide at-hi'gh temperatures or high pressures, or fluids which require special precautions to prevent leakage; to provide apparatus for auto- -maticallycontrolling the pressure or the level of a fluid, or for automatically conn trolling the pressure in a boiler particularly when dense liquids, .such as mercury, are employed; and generally to improve apparatus of the kind referred to.

ln one aspect of my invention fluid con-- trolled apparatus is provided in. which a fluid container is yieldingly supported by elastic'means having a path for the passage of the fluid to or from the'container, so that changes in the weight of fluid therein upon the passage of fluid over the path produce corresponding vertical displacements of the container to provide a visual indication or to control other apparatus.

In another aspect my invention contemplates employing tluid responsive apparatus including an elastically supported fluid con- ,tainer in connection with an upright conduit or reservoir, whereby changes of fluid pressure or level therein produce corresponding movements in the fluid responsive apparatus, the fluid responsive: apparatus in turn regulating the pressure or level of the fluid. 'llhs arrangement employing a boiler utilizes the boiler pressure to support the'uid in the conduit or reservoir, the fluid responsive apparatus varying the rate at which heat is supplied to the boiler, thus tending to maintain constant pressure in the boiler and constant pressure or levelA et fluid in the conduit orreservoir. Y

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lowing description in connection with the appended drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation illustrating a form of-fluid control apparatus; and

Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in section, of regulating apparatus for a refrigerator employing the apparatus of Fig. 1.

In Fig. 1, the upright conduit or reservoir 10 adapted to contain a liquid or other fluid, the level of which is indicated by dot-ted lines 11, supports the ends of flexible'conduit 12 opening into conduit 10 and extending substantially horizontally therefrom. The enlarged portion or vessel 13 in conduit 12 is supported between the helical coils or circuitously directed sections 14, 15 of the conduit, the upper part of the vessel being connected with section 14 and the lower part being connected with section 15.

The conduit sections 14 and 15 may be looked upon as being a pair of conduits, one

l end of each being supported by conduit 10.

' lVhen the level 11 of' the fluid in the conduit their other ends projecting freely in a Substantially vhorizontal direction and joined together by Vessel 13 supported therefrom` It will be noted that the vessel 13, together with the fluid therein, is'supported with its center of gravityA horizontally displaced with respect to the points of attachment of y the extremities of the conduit sections to the y conduit 10.

The weight of conduit 12 including vessel 13 and the weight of fluid thereinY cornpresses and defiects downward the lower section 15, and stretches and -deflects downward the upper section 14 of conduit 12.

12 varies, or the pressure of fluid at the lowA has of fiuid in the conduit varies, the resulting variation in weight produces corresponding vertical deflections and displacements in the conduit, thus providing a visible response. or a force to operate other apparatus.

While the conduit or reservoir 10 is disposed in a substantially upright position when responses are to be produced by changes in the level, pressure, or density of .a fluid, such disposition is obviously unnecessary when responses are to be produced by variations in the density of afluid circutat-vv ing through the conduit.

. The bifurcated end 16 of lever 17 of valve 18 of well known construct-ion, straddles the vessel 13, the slotted ends of the arms 16 being loosely engaged by pins or bosses 1U projecting from opposite ends of a horizontal diameter of vessel 13. lVhen vessel 13' is displaced vertically vthe lever 17 is angularly displaced to control the fiow of fluid through valve 18. l

The refrigerat-ing apparatus illustrated in Fig. 2 derives its operating energy from the boiler 20 which is adapted to contain a liq-` uid of high density, preferably mercury.

The boiler is heated by the burner 21, sup plied with fuel through the pipe 22. The mercury vapor` is discharged through pipe 23 to drive the turbine 24 which in turn drives the pulnp 25, -the vapor exhausting from' turbine 24 into condenser 26, the walls of which are exposed in contact with air or other cooling fluid. The kcondensed mercury collects in the base of -the condenser, dis charging into conduit 10, and accumulating in the lower portion of the conduit from which it returns to the boiler 20 below the level of liquid mercury therein. Pump 25 propels vapor of the liquid refrigerant from the evaporator 27 to the condenser 26, thus cooling the evaporator and the interior of the refrigerator 28; The refrigerant which Fig. 1 is applied to the refrigerating apparatus by connecting the conduit section 14 to conduit 10 above the level of the mercury and connecting the conduit section 15 to conduit 10 below the level of the mercury, the valve 16 (Fig. 1) controlling the fiow o fuel through conduit 22.

lVhen operating `the refrigerating apparatus, the pressureof mercury vapor in boiler 2O Aforces liquid mercury intol conduit 1l) where it is supported as a column, the effective head of which is iu equilibrium with the fluid pressure above the mercury column 1n conduit 10 and above the level of mer- .the pressure and level of .mercury in conduits 10 and 12.

The design of the fluid controlled appa-y ratus 13, 14, 15v is such as to lend itself to construction as a seamlcss'conduit,the parts of which may be welded together or otherwise integrally connected so as to provide sealed walls which prevent escape of thc fluid enclosed therein. The walls of cone duit 12 may be made as thick as desired to withstand 4high pressure or to provide increa'sed'resistance to pressure when the ma terial utilized is chosen because of its temperature resisting qualit-ies and possesses relatively small resistance to fiuid pressure. Similarly the material of these walls may be selected because of its resistance to active `titi iiuids and may require correspondingly thick Walls to compensate for Weakness ot' the particular kind oi material chosen. The length of conduit l2 maybe extended in or der to provide the desired iieXibility, and

the specilic deformation oi the material may be made as small as desired by this expedient so that material having relatively slightl elasticity is suitable.

llt vvill be noted that the fluid responsive apparatus described involves no relativelv sliding parts in contact With the vtluid and, ovving to its length,- requires only a small deformation oi the material used to provide the desired displacement. By increasing the volume of conduit l2, including the vessel 13, the change ot weight Within the conduit may be increased tor a given 4change of level ofthe riuid,'and a torce ot any desired value may thus be obtained to produce a delec'tion of the desired value and to operate other apparatus.

ll claim: i 1. 'lhe combination with aliquid heater and vaporizer, of means for controlling the pressure therein,l including means operative on adjustment to' eidect a variation in such pressure, and controlling Vmeans tor said last mentioned means including a vessel for containing' duid, and' means providingn .a pathtor the ilovv oi i'lui-d to and from said vessel, said last mentioned means elastically supporting saidvemel, whereby saidvessel is'veiticallydisplaced ire response to variations ot the weight ot dui-d therein upon the passage et fluid over said path.

2. The comhinationvvitha iiquid heater and vaporizer, ot means itor controlling the pressuretherein, including1 means operative on adjustment to edect a variation in such pressure, and controllingameans for said last mentioned means including a vessel tor containing` tluid, and an elastic conduit opening into and supporting said vessel, when in operative position, in vertically yieldable relation with 'respect to a portion ot the conduit remote from said vessel.

3. rlhe comloination with 'a liquid heater and vaporizer, oi means 'tor controlling the 4on 'adjustment to ettect a variation in suchy pressure, and controllin .means 'for said last v mentioned means inclu ing a vessel tor coni taining variabile Weights ot fluid and a pair of circuitously directed elastic conduits opening into 'and supporting said vessel, when in operative position, in vertical yieldable relation with respect to the ends of said conduit remote from said vessel.

5. The combination with a liquid heater and vaporizer, oi means :tor controlling the pressure therein, including means operative on adjustment to edect a variation in such pressure, 'and controlling means for said last mentioned means including a vessel for containing variable Weights ,ot fluid and a pair of coiled elastic conduits opening into and supporting said vessel, when in operative position, in vertical yieldafble relation with respect to the -ends oi said conduitsl remote from said vessel.

o. The combination with a liquid heater and vaporizer, of means for controlling the pressure therein., including means operative on adjustment to edect a variation in such pressure, and controlling means tor said last mentioned means includimir a vessel 'for con--4 taining, variable Weights oi duid and a pair of circuitously directed elastic conduits couuv `nected respectively to upper and lovver por;F

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tions ot said vessel for supporting` saidvesn sel in vertically yieldablerelation with respect to the ends ot said conduits `remote trom said vessel. f

7. 'ihe comloinationl With a liquid heater i containing a column et liquid, a conduitopeuinp,1 atoneendinto said reservoiralcove the level oit vthe liquid therein and opening at its other end' into said'reservoir Ahelenr said level, said conduit having tienihle portions projected in directions havinga horizontal component whereby liquid varialoly 'accumulating in said portions Witligchange ot liquid level therein produces a corresponding variable vertical displacem'enty oft 'said portions.

8. 'llhe combination with a liquid heater and vaporiser,Y of means for controlling the pressure therein, including means operative on adjustment to effect a variationV in such pressure and controlling means :tor 'said last mentioned means including a reservoir for containing a column ot liquid, a conduit.

opening at one end 'into said reservoir above the level of the liquid therein and opening at its other end into said reservoir below said level, said conduit having ienible portions projected in directions having ahorizontal component, and an enlargedl section in said conduit` between said portions whereby liquid varialoly accumulating in said section With change ont liquid level therein produces a correspondingverticai displacement ot said sectionv A9. The combination with a liquid heater and vaporizer, of means for controlling the pressure therein, including means operative on adjustment to leffect a variation in such pressure vand controlling means for said last mentioned means including a reservoir for containinga column of liquid, a pair of flexible conduits connected to said reservoir, one opening into said reservoir above the level of the liquid therein, and the other opening into said reservoir below said level, each of said conduits having a horizontally projected free end, and a vessel supported from and connecting the free ends of said conduit whereby said vessel is vertically displaced in accordance with the level of liquid therein.'

10. A .device responsive to` changes of fluid pressure, said device havin a vessel for containing liquid .the level o which is adapted to be varied in accordance with changes in duid pressure, and a flexible conduit supporting said vessel and opening into the base thereof to transmit changes in the level of the liquid in said vessel, the center of gravity of said vessel and the liquid therein, whenin operative position, being horizontally displaced with respect to a portion of` said conduit remote from said vessel, whereby change of weight of liquid in said vessel with' change 4of fluid pressure causes vertical displacement of said vessel with respect to -said remote portion. I

11. Fluid controlled 'apparatus having a support, a flexible conduit secured at each end to said support and projecting freely from -said support in a direction having a.

horizontal component whereby parts of said conduit remote from said support are substantially displaced in a vertical direction in response to variations of the weight of fluid therein, and means actuated by vertica-l displacement of"'s'aid' conduit for controlling the weight of fluid therein. y

12. Fluid controlled apparatus having a vessel containing fluid, means providing a path for the flow of fluid to and froinsaid vessel and for elastically supporting said vessel whereby said vessel is verticallydisplaced in' response to variations of the by vertical displacement of said vessel for controlling the weight of fluid therein.

13. In a fluid pressure regulator, a boiler,

u means for supplying fuel thereto, a conduit,

opening into said boiler, said conduit having an upright vportion for containing a liquid, and means actuated in response to change-s of liquid level in the upright. portion of said conduit with changes of boiler pressure for controlling said fuel supply means.

14. In a fluid pressure regulator, a boiler, means for supplying heat thereto, a conduit opening into said boiler, said conduit having an upright portion for containing a -liqui said upright portion leading to a substantial horizontally extending elastic portion having a free end, a vessel supported by said free end and opening thereinto, whereby said vessel is vertically displaced in accordance with change of liquid level in said vessel with changes of pressure in said boiler, and means whereby said heat supply. means is controlled by vertical displacement of said vessel.

'15. The combination with a liquid heaterv llui o ver said path.

16.-In combination with a receptacle containing a liquid and a gaseous fluid, means for regulating the pressure of said gaseous fluid'inclulding a. receptacle in free communication at its lower end with said liquid, and

movable in proportion tothe liquid level therein,f and means governed by the moveweight of fluid therein upon the passage of j ment of said second mentioned receptacle for controlling the pressure of said gaseous fluid.

17. In combination with a receptacle containing a liquid and a gaseous fluid, means for regulating the pressure of said gaseous fluid including a receptacle in free coin'- munication at its lower end with said liquid, and at its upper end with a spacein which thelpressure is belowA the pressure in said first mentioned receptacle, said second mentioned receptacle being movable in proportion to the liquid level therein, and means governed by the movementv of said second mentionedl receptacle for controlling the pressure of said gaseous fluid.

18. In combination with a receptacle containing a liquid and a gaseous fluid, means for regulating the pressure of said gaseous j Afluid including a receptacle in free commuweight of fluid therein, and means'atuatednication at its lower end with said liquid through a combined fluid conducting tube and resilient supporttherefor, said second non Lamai/ass i iw pressure is less than the pressure in said first mentioned receptacle, 'said second nientioiied receptacle being movable in propor-` for controlling the pressure of said gaseous fluid including a column communication -witli said receptacle below the liquid level therein, means connected in liquid circuit with said column and altering its position in accordance with variations in liquid level in said column, and means actuated tliei'e, 'by -for regulating the pressure of said gaseous fluid.

2l. In combination with a receptacle containing a liquid and a gaseous fiuid produced by the vaporization of said liquid,

means for controlling tlie pressure .of said gaseous fiuid, including a column communicating with said receptacle below the liquid level therein, means connected in liquid circuit with said column and altering its posl tion in accordance .with variations in the liquid level in said column, and means actuated thereby for regulating the pressure of said gaseous fluid.

22. In combination with a receptacle containing a liquid and a gaseous fluid, means -for controlling the pressure of said gaseous fluid including -a column communicating with said receptacle below the liquid there in, a vessel connected adjacent the top and bottom thereof with spaced points in said column, and altering its position in accordance with variations in the liquid level in said column, and means actuated thereby for regulating the pressure of' said gaseous iiuid. 1

23. In combination with a receptacle containing a liquid and a gaseous fluid, means for controllingthe pressure of said gaseous .fluid including a column communicating with said receptacle below the liquid level therein, a vessel connected at its top and bottom respectively, with spaced points in 'said column disposed at opposite sides oi' the liquid level in said column when the gaseous' fluid pressure in said receptacle is at the desired point; said vessel altering its position in accordance with variations in the liquid level in said column, and means actuated thereby for regulating the pressure of said gaseous fluid.

@1l- The* combination with a liquid container7 of means for controlling the liquid level therein including means adjustable to eflect a variation in liquidlevel in said container, and controlling means therefor including a vessel forcontaining liquid, an

`operative connection between the same and said adjustable means, and means'providing a path for the flow of fluid to and from said vessel with respect to said container and constituting elastic supporting means for said vessel, whereby said vessel. is vertically displaced in response to variations in the weight of fluid therein upon the passage of fluid over said path in accordance with fluctuations in liquid level in said liquid container.:

25. The combination with a li uid container, of means for controlling t e liquid level therein vincluding means adjustable to efiect a variation in liquid level in said con; tainei, and controlling means therefor includingI a vessel for containing liquid, an operative connection between the same and saidy adjustable means, and means providing a plurality of paths for the flow of fluid to and from said vessel with respect to said container and constituting elastic supporting means for said vessel, whereby said vessel is vertically displaced in response to vae riatioiis in the weight of fluid therein upon tlie passage of' uid over one of said patlis in accordance with' fluctuations in liquid level in said liquid container.

Signed by me at Cambridge, Massachusetts, this 7th dayof January, 1924.

CHARLES G. Sli/HTH. 

